Research consultancy

ACCOUNT FOR THE RAMPANT POVERTY EXPERIENCED BY HOUSEHOLDS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES:

A CASE STUDY OF NYAKABIRIZI SUB

COUNTY, BUSENYI DISTRICT

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction

This chapter presents the background to the study, statement of the problem, purpose and specific objectives of the study, research questions, scope and significance of the study, and anticipated limitations.

1.1 Background to the study

Poverty is conceived at its broadest level as a state of deprivation of prohibitive of decent human life. This is caused by lack of resources and capabilities to acquire basic human needs as viewed in many, but often mutually enforcing parameters are ignorance, prevalence of diseases, high infant mortality rates, low life expectancy, low technological utilization, environmental degradation, unemployment, rural urban migration and poor communication (Denisard Alves Fipe, 2003).

The World Bank’s world development Report defines poverty as unacceptable deprivation in human well-being that can comprise of physical and social deprivation. Physiological deprivation involves the non-fulfillment of basic materials or biological needs, including inadequate nutrition, health, education and shelter. Social deprivation includes risks, vulnerability, lack of respect of autonomy, powerless and lack of self-respect.

According to the second Uganda participatory persistent poverty assessment report (2002) Persistent poverty is the lack of basic needs and services such as food, clothing, beddings, basic health care, roads education paraffin and lack of opportunities for survival employment and having limited or no productive assets such as farms tools, being powerless, social exclusion, ignorance and lack of knowledge

Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. Physical and mental impairments reduce the life chances and productivity of people with disabilities (PWDs). Most PWDs in Uganda are poor because of marginalisation and discrimination associated with disability. Women with disabilities, for example, not only find it difficult to have access to productive assets, but are also discriminated against in marriage and in the building of social networks (Mitra, 2006).

Kane (1999), in the medical model of disability, disability is the result of a physical condition intrinsic to the individual that may reduce the individual’s quality of life and cause clear disadvantages as a result. Hence, curing or managing disability means identifying, understanding, and controlling the disability as well as altering its course. Thus the government, private sector and society should invest in health care and related services to cure disabilities medically, allowing disabled persons to have a “normal” life. In contrast, the social model of disability proposes that barriers and prejudice as well as exclusion by society (purposely or unintentionally) are the ultimate factors defining who is disabled or non-disabled. The model recognizes that while some people have physical, intellectual, or psychological differences (which may sometimes be impairments) from the generally accepted standard norm, these do not lead to disability unless society fails to accommodate and include them as part of the “normal” mainstream.

Lang (2000), poverty and disability in Uganda are inextricably linked. Despite impressive economic gains made by the country in the last 10 – 15 years, current evidence suggests that at least 2.4 million disabled people remain poor. Disability feeds on poverty, and poverty on disability. Because of poverty many people become disabled. Such people have very limited access to health care and facilities (including immunisation); they have very rudimentary feeding and nutrition; they are exposed to a number of disabling conditions, etc. As a consequence chronically poor people are more likely to become disabled. On the other hand, many disabled people lack education and skills training. Hence they cannot easily access employment. The physically demanding nature of unskilled labour (a hallmark of most African economies) also makes it difficult for disabled people to be involved in labour intensive activities. This situation is made worse by outright social exclusion of disabled people that constrains disabled people’s participation in the job market.

Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP) national vision for 2025; the national health policy and the Health Sector Strategic Plans it (HSSPS), Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Secondary Universal Education (USE). The national response to HIV/AIDS has been manifested by evident political commitment at the highest level and support, policy of openness enhancing better dialogue and communication, multi-sectoral interventions and co-ordination. This is according demographic report 2010.

Many of the strategies put in place by the government, NGOs among others have not achieved their objective of poverty reduction as expected, and it is against the above background that the researcher deems it relevant to account for the rampant poverty experienced by households of persons with disabilities in Nyakabirizi Sub County, Bushenyi District.

1.2 Problem statement

Over many years, the government of Uganda in partnership with many NGO’s has put in places several measures to eradicate poverty among its population (PEAP, 2000). This has been done through the implementation of all programmes embedded in Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP). PEAP is Uganda’s national planning that guide’s public action to promote economic growth and reduce absolute poverty. It consists of many programmes such as Prosperity For All (PFA) Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Plan for Modernization Agriculture (PMA) Functional Adult Literacy (FAL) and extension of village bank saving credit co-operations (SACCOs) in poor rural areas. According to the World Bank (2011), “Persons with disabilities on average as a group experience worse socioeconomic outcomes than persons without disabilities, such as less education, worse health outcomes, less employment, and higher poverty rates.

PWDs have been encouraged to engage in community development programs, Poverty Eradication Action, Plan ensuring their maximum participation in those programmes among others. Despite governments’ efforts to eradicate poverty through programmes like NAADS, FAL, PMA, PFA among others, many PWDs in Uganda continue to live in absolute poverty. Therefore, it was from this background that the researcher seeks to investigate the rampant poverty experienced by households of persons with disabilities in Nyakabirizi Sub County, Bushenyi District.

1.3 Purpose

To investigate the rampant poverty experienced by households of persons with disabilities in Nyakabirizi Sub County, Bushenyi District.

1.4 Specific objectives

To identify the activities persons with disabilities are engaged in.
To find out the conditions under which persons with disabilities live.
To identify the support persons with disabilities receive from government and NGOs.

1.5 Research questions

What activities do persons with disabilities engaged in?
What are the conditions under which persons with disabilities live?
What support do persons with disabilities receive from government and NGOs?

1.6 Scope of the study

The study will aim at accounting for the rampant poverty experienced by households of persons with disabilities. The study will identify activities PWDs engaged in, the conditions under which PWDs live, support PWDs receive from government. The study will be carried out in Nyakabirizi Sub County, Bushenyi District for a period of four months.

1.7Significance of the study

The study will help policy makers to implement policies to involve disabled people in local governance for instance through their representation at various local council levels.

To the local communities in Nyakabirizi Sub County, the findings will help them to support PWDs in identifying for example income generating activities can help alleviate poverty among PWDs.

The findings may help to ascertain the responsiveness of key policy instruments in Uganda to disabled people’s needs, and identify gaps in key poverty reduction policies and programmes with respect to disability.

It will help to raise awareness among community development workers and other service providers to enable them create opportunities for PWDS to access and engage in income generating activities.

To future researchers, the findings will add to the existing information on the same study under investigation.

1.8 Limitation and Delimitation of study

Financial resources will be inadequate since the University will not be in position to facilitate the resources to the researcher with funds for typing, binding and other expenses like transport fees. However, the researcher will obtain fund from family members i.e. parents and guardians plus friends to solve the problem of limited financial resources.
This unrealistic expectation from the respondents is also another problem the researcher will face. It is argued that very many people will expect too much thing from researcher for example money etc, yet the researcher is totally student who does not have money. The researcher will use the local leaders to convince the community members that researcher is here to gather information on the given problem which will help to use in future but don’t expect much things like money from him.
Time frame, It is noted that the researcher will face the problem of time during his time to collect date and information in various communities. According to the researcher due to limited time frame, researcher will use weekends, public holiday and free time to gather information in various communities.

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 Introduction

This chapter reviews related studies on poverty and disability for a better understanding of the research topic.

2.1 Key study concepts

2.1.1 Poverty

Poverty is a major issue confronting billions of people in the world. In 2008, The World Bank estimated 1.29 billion people were living in absolute poverty, i.e., they live on less than $1.25 a day. About 22% of this population lives in developing countries, in addition to 43% who live on less than $2 a day. The World Bank admits that extreme poverty is still a global challenge experienced in all parts of the world.

The United Nations defines poverty as the denial of opportunities and the violation of human dignity. Its human development index is a measure of poverty based on indicators such as literacy, education, health care and other basic necessities.

2.2 Activities PWDs are engaged in

Vocational skills: The ability to perform specialized tasks and functions particular to a job, occupation or industry. Also called occupational skills and technical skills for example, Sign language instruction, Hair dressing, Arts and craft, Arts and craft and Repairing cars, radios and cell phones (Boyce, et al 1998).

Vocational training: Activities to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for effective work in an occupation or group of occupations. It comprises initial, refresher, further and updating training, retraining and job-related training. It may include general education subjects (Clark, 1991).

Apprenticeship: Carroll, (1992) a system of training which usually combines on-the-job training and work experience with institution-based training. It can be regulated by law (formal apprenticeship, normally providing a remuneration to apprentices) or by custom (traditional or informal apprenticeship) where remuneration and/or institution-based training are not Carpentry, Gardening and planting.

Small businesses: PWDs engage in small businesses selling from shops. This requires minimal physical exertion, and can provide a regular income. Successful examples include vegetable shops, tea stalls, van-based shops, snacks, dry fish sales and others.

2.3 Conditions under which persons with disabilities live in Uganda

Despite efforts by the government of Uganda, it has been observed that the general socio-economic status of PWDs especially women and children with disabilities in Uganda is still poor. They have limited access to employment opportunities, minimal or no savings, low literacy levels, poor health and mainly rely on labor incomes. The 2012 NORAD report stresses that there is a significant correlation between the incidence of poverty and disability.

An article written in the observer newspaper, 24th Jan 2013 entitled; “health sector remains blind to the needs of the disabled”. It was an observation made by NUDIPU after a survey in the rural areas of Uganda, as well as some urban outskirts. In the article, it was stressed that; negligence to the needs of PWDs has left them helpless, those who need medical attention have not been able to get it, and neither can they access it. This leaves them in terrible medical conditions where they are not in any position to work, leaving them poor.

The African decade on disabled persons (2000-2009), PWDs suffer from discrimination in all areas of life, ranging from bases of society prejudice and ignorance. In addition, they do not enjoy the same opportunities as ordinary persons because they lack access to public services and society excludes them. These services include medical and health care, education, relief, transport facilities. Infrastructure is made in a way that is so un-inclusive for PWDs for instance buildings are constructed with stair cases that cannot be used by wheel-chair users. It also has to do with lack of information by PWDs.

According to the disability scoping study report for D.F.I.D (Feb. 2009), PWDs in the contemporary Ugandan society who lives in absolute poverty of much less than two dollars a day are estimated to be 80% and the number plus the percentage keeps growing each and every year, at alarming rate. They can barely afford their basic needs of life such as food, shelter, and clothing. This explains why there are many PWDs begging along the streets of Kampala, just to earn a day’s meal for survival.

The Uganda National Bureau of statistics projects that after a thorough survey, it was discovered that 85% of PWDs in Uganda live in rural areas, while those in urban areas live in slums and other outskirts characterized by poor housing, where just a few live a fulfilling lifestyle. The ordinary population in most cases is adamant to the needs of PWDs, they highly discriminate them and have many faulty stereotypes about disability, which marginalize PWDs and therefore deteriorate the quality of their lives. More still, this survey also concluded that the number of PWDs who are illiterate doubles that of those who have ever gone to school.

The independent newspaper in Uganda, published an article on the 18th of Feb, 2013 entitled_ “persons with disabilities on the rise in Uganda”. This indicates that the situation of PWDs in Uganda is worsening, where the already disabled are acquiring secondary disabilities, and the ordinary persons are getting disabled and impaired by the day. Some of the reasons and explanations that were given for this rise include; Injury from road accidents, work related accidents, ageing, illness, lack of medical attention among others. This article explains that the HIV/AIDS scourge is devouring PWDs at an alarming rate, mainly because PWDs are sexually exploited and they lack access to sexual and reproductive health services and facilities.

2.4 Support PWDs receive from government and NGOs

Many persons with disabilities need assistance and support to achieve a good quality of life and to be able to participate in social and economic life on an equal basis with others.

The Government of Uganda has adopted a number of laws and policies pertaining to people with disabilities, including their right to productive and decent work and basic services (ILO, 2009).

According to the 2006 Uganda National Policy on Disability, Local authorities are mandated to coordinate, supervise and mobilize resources for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), initiate and implement appropriate interventions among others. In order to support the above mandate, the central government provides a Special Grant for Persons with Disabilities (SGPWD) as a social safety net to ensure that PWDs establish income generating activities of their choice that can bolster their incomes, reduce inequality and unemployment. The two interlocking objectives for establishing this grant are: to aid PWDs to establish income generating activities for employment creation and improvement of incomes; and to provide seed capital for income generating activities (Government of Uganda, 2011).

The special grant is a national program that operates in all districts of Uganda. The government of Uganda allocates Ushs. 3 billion that is shared by all districts. These funds are allocated through District special Grant Committees. This grant targets the most vulnerable PWDs who have organized themselves into groups. According to the Implementation Guidelines for Social Development Sector Conditional Grant (2011), this grant supports income generating initiatives which include but are not limited to the following: agricultural production, trade, micro and scale businesses, environmental, cultural heritage, tourism, telecommunication, apiary, metal works and woodwork. For effective utilization of this grant, the following guiding principles have been established: group basis in the acquisition of the grant, evidence of the ability to utilize the grant, vulnerability reduction, promotion of gender equity and disability balance. The beneficiaries of the special grant are: groups of associations of persons with disabilities, parents’ associations of children with disabilities and associations or groups of albinos. This grant is utilized to accelerate on-going activities of PWDs. For a PWD group to be considered for this grant, it should have been operational for at least one year.

In line with the CRPD’s requirement of States parties to the Convention to take appropriate measures to ensure that persons with disabilities have access on an equal basis with others to the physical environment, transportation, information and communications and services, Part IV of the PWD Act 2006 makes provision for accessibility to buildings, information, public transport, roads and highways. The design specifications are contained in the Regulations of the PWD Act developed in 2009.

Baryayebwa (2010), government of Uganda has come up with policies and programmes to address the rights and needs of persons with disabilities. For instance, the National Policy on Disability (2006) aims at promoting equal opportunities for enhanced empowerment, participation and protection of rights of persons with disabilities irrespective of gender, age and type of disability. This is in recognition that persons with disabilities can perform to their full potential given the same conditions and opportunities irrespective of their social, economic or cultural backgrounds.

The introduction of universal Primary Education programme in 1997 has increased access to primary education including children with disabilities. Inclusive education is being emphasized. This has been achieved through training of special needs teachers, purchase of learning materials including Braille equipments for the blind learners (Baryayebwa, 2010).

The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development coordinates the Uganda Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Programme. Uganda adopted CBR in 1992 as a strategy within general community development for rehabilitation, equalization of opportunities and social inclusion of all children and adults with disabilities (ILO, 2009).

The primary goal of the ILO today is to promote opportunities for everyone, including people with disabilities, to obtain decent and productive work, based on the principles of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. The ILO works to achieve its goals of decent work for all through promoting labour standards, advocacy, knowledge building and technical cooperation services and partnerships, both within the ILO and externally. The Uganda Decent Work Country programme establishes the framework for delivery of ILO action (ILO, 2009).

The project “Promoting Decent Work for Persons with Disabilities through a Disability Inclusion Support Service” (INCLUDE). The project builds capacity at regional and national levels to effectively support the full participation of women entrepreneurs with disabilities in entrepreneurship development activities conducted under the ILO’s Women’s Entrepreneurship Development and Gender Equality (WEDGE) programme. INCLUDE also involves advocacy and awareness-raising activities to promote decent work for persons with disabilities (ILO, 2009).

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction

This chapter presents the research design, area of the study, study population, sample size, sample techniques, the data collection instruments, the procedures of data collection, ethical considerations, and data analysis.

3.1 Research Design

According to Opoku (2000), a research design is a structural perspective that guides a researcher in data collection and analysis. A cross section research design will be used on a qualitative research approach of data collection. According to Baron (2011), qualitative research design helps to capture qualitative data, based on qualitative aspects that cannot be quantified. It aids in discovering the motives and desires or what people think and how they feel about a given subject or situation. Qualitative allows flexibility in all aspects of the research process. It is more appropriate to explore the nature of a problem, issue or phenomenon without quantifying it. Its main objective is to describe the variation in a phenomenon, situation or attitude like description of an observed situation, or opinions (Mubazi, 2008).

3.2 Area of study

The study will be carried out in Nyakabirizi Sub-County, Busenyi District-western part of Uganda.

3.3 Population of the Study

According to Baron, (2011), this constitutes individuals, organizations, groups, communities or other units that provide information or to collect information about for the study. This will include PWDs, community development officers and leaders of PWDs in Nyakabirizi Sub-County.

3.4 The Sample

The sample refers to a few items selected from the universe or population for study purposes, (Baron, 2011). The study used a total of 65 respondents to provide a manageable volume of data and allow the researcher to make accurate estimates of thoughts and behavior of a larger population. The sample included 50 PWDs, 5 social workers and 10 leaders of PWDs.

Table 3.1. Showing Sample of the study

Respondent	No. of respondents
PWDs	54
CDO	1
Leaders of PWDs	10
Total	65

PWDs will be selected because they know the challenges they face in as PWDs, Parents will be chosen because they are the immediate people to PWDs and are to have valuable information to the research study. CBR workers and community leaders will be chosen because they are assumed to have broader knowledge of the study area and also they are the implementer of government programs hence valuable information for the study is needed from them.

3.5 Sampling Procedures

According to Baron (2011), this is a definite plan determined before data collection for obtaining a sample from a given population. Purposive sampling technique will be used to select key informants because they are deemed to be knowledgeable about the phenomenon under investigation.

3.6 Data Collection Instruments

The study will use the following instrument;

Interviews

Cohon and Manioh (1989) qualify interview to be a conservation initiated by the interviewer for specific purpose of obtaining research relevant information and focuses on content specified by research objectives of specific description. An interview guide will be used for the in-depth interviews with people with disabilities social workers and leaders of PWDs. The interview guide will be developed based on the objectives. They will be designed in English language. It will be used because it promotes greater depth of response which is not possible through other means and it allows the researcher to get information concerning feelings, attitudes in relation to research questions.

3.7 Procedures of Data Collection

The researcher will ensure the approval of the research proposal and instruments especially the interview guide to test their effectiveness in carrying out the study;

The researcher will get a letter of introduction from the head of department for introducing him to the area of study;
He will prepare other letters to individual respondents requesting their willingness to participate in the study;
The researcher also will present himself to the area of the study and give respondents their consent letters;
Then actual data collection on arrival to the area will be carried out;
The researcher will arrange with the local leader and explain his visit and carry on with interviews with each interview lasting between 15 to 25 minutes.

3.8 Data Processing, Presentation and Analysis

The data will be qualitatively analysed. It will involve transcribing interview data, identifying the major themes arising from the respondents’ answers; assigning codes to these themes; classification of the major responses under the main theme; and integrating the responses into the report in a descriptive and analytical manner.

3.9 Ethical Considerations

The researcher will maintain confidentiality of respondents’ information; and report the true findings of the study without any bias.

The researcher also will collect data upon seeking respondents’ consent after revealing the type of information needed and the purpose to avoid potential concealment of vital information.

CHAPTER FOUR

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF FINDINGS

4.0 Introduction

This chapter presents findings collected from the 65 respondents identified for the research as regards the investigation poverty as a result of disability with focus on Nyakabirizi Sub County in Bushenyi district.

4.1 Background information on respondents

The respondents were asked about their marital status, education levels and source of income and the following results were obtained as represented in the tables below:

Table 4.1. Participants’ characteristics

Age	Frequency
18-37 years	17
38-47 years	6
48 years +	42
Marital status	Frequency
Total	65
Married	35
Single	24
Others	6
Level of education	Frequency
Total	65
Primary	18
Secondary/vocational	30
Tertiary	11
Others	6
Total	65

The majority (42.5) of the respondents were predominantly between the ages of 48 and above. A significant number (17) of the respondents were between 18 and 37years. 48 years + had the highest number because these are the most active age group hence they are actively involved in community programmes, therefore they had rich experiences and could also appreciate the importance of the study.

A greater percentage (35) of the interviewed respondents was found to be married, while 24 participants were single and they were simply unmarried adults living with their families. It is important to note that these respondents had families therefore most of them had knowledge of the issues contributing to poverty among PWDs.

The table above shows that most of the interviewed respondents (30) were of secondary or vocational level, while 18participants were of primary level and 11 respondents were of tertiary level therefore, provided information based on the academic knowledge, skills and experience they have gain in management.

4.2 Presentation of data

4.2.1 Objective one: Socio-economic conditions under which persons with disabilities live

Asked about the socio-economic conditions under which persons with disabilities live, the respondents gave options in the table below:

Table 4.2. Showing conditions under which PWDs live

Socio Economic Conditions	Frequency
Burden of dependents	45
Discrimination	64
Isolation	53
Limited access to medication	35
Limited access to water	11
Limited access to education	62
Nutritional imbalances	23
Poor housing	58
Poverty	65

Poverty

From the table above, it is clear that 65 respondents agreed that poverty was so evident among PWDs in the division. They explained that in one way or another, poverty was their major challenge, and it was a result of their impairment and the way society disables them.

One of the PWDs added saying;

“There is no way one can leave this place and make money; I was amputated so I don’t see myself engaging in any economic activity….” and as a result am forced to live in this poor state.

The L.C1 chairperson also pointed out that most PWDs in the area were living in conditions of extreme poverty, where they can only afford up to one meal a day, while others depend on the mercy of community members who offer them free food and handouts, from pity.

One social worker was quoted saying that;

“some PWDs can perform anything that bring them money, for instance those are blind find it hard to engage in any income generating activities since they are even limited in the area. At the same time they are forced to live conditions that are very hard without a ‘peny’ to provide for themselves anything”.

Discrimination

The next common condition was discrimination with 64 respondents. Respondents that stereotypes that accompany both of these attributes lead persons with disabilities to be seen as particularly dependent upon others and serve to amplify the misconception of this population as burdensome.

Limited access to education

Another common condition that PWDs live is the limited access to education with 62 of the study respondents mentioning it. Some respondents said that PWDs without a supportive family always find it difficult to access to education services. Some families take them to schools for normal children where they find challenges and are forced to drop out. In the later life, they live a struggling life where they cannot afford a living on their own.

A respondent said that;

“a disabled women suffers a multiple handicap. Her chances of marriage are very slight, and she is most likely to be condemned to be non-productive to the household of her birth… it is small wonder that many disabled female babies do not survive.” Additionally, women with disabilities are particularly susceptible to abuse.

Isolation

The study findings as shown in the table above show that 53 respondents said isolation. Most persons with disabilities are isolation as some people stigmatize them. Respondents said that in very society that these

Also 3 respondents said burden of dependents. Respondents said that most persons with disabilities stay with others, thus they depend mostly on others to survive. This is because some do not have the money to stay on their own.

Another 3 participants mentioned nutritional imbalances. Respondents said that most persons with disabilities always have poor feeding because. This is because they cannot afford to have nutritional balances as a result of lack of resources.

Other respondents said limited access to medication. This is because they cannot afford it unless they are offered.

Respondents also said limited access to water. Respondents said that most persons with disabilities cannot carry water from water sources, thus face a challenge in their lives.

Disability is the reason why the sampled PWDs experienced the above mentioned conditions in one way or another, and all of them sum up to one end result- poverty. Therefore, disability is the root-cause of poverty amongst PWDs.

Limited employment options for disabled people and the low income they receive when in employment makes it difficult for them to meet their basic needs, let alone to achieve the same level of living as other people. Ultimately, this increases the number of disabled people who are poor and strengthens the link between poverty and disability. Such failure to meet economic needs was mainly attributed by disabled men for example, to limited sources of income linked with a lack of job opportunities. Disabled women tended to report lack of access to services in the community and difficulties in receiving support from their families.

4.2.2 Activities Persons with Disabilities are engaged in

The study sought to examine the activities that persons with disabilities in Nyakabirizi Sub County are engaged in. results obtained are presented below;

It was reported that most of the persons with disabilities in Nyakabirizi Sub County depend on subsistence agriculture, poultry keeping, animal keeping where they get food and the surplus is sold to earn them income to derive a living as one respondent reported that;

“As you see me if I do not dig, I cannot survive.

I store some for eating and I sell some for money

A number of respondents reported that many of the persons with disabilities engage themselves in small scale businesses as their income generating activities like shop keeping, selling of things like charcoal, food staffs, butcher men, selling of water and many other related activities. Such activities were majorly carried out by strong persons with disabilities and those who had a chance to get some little capital to start such activities.

“I am a 50 year old woman who survives on tomatoes and charcoal where I earn some little profit that I use to buy basic needs like paraffin, drug, clothes and some other items that i can afford”.

Another respondent said that;

“It’s through this small kiosk that my daughter in Kampala opened up for me that earns me some money for survival with my two grandchildren she left for me”.

A respondent said that;

”I opened this business of selling tomatoes, onions, cabbage, and others needed in the market to enable me be able to raise money to buy necessities.

Some respondents reported that persons with disabilities in Nyakabirizi Sub County do derive their livelihood by participating in casual labour to earn income. Such activities included; slashing of compound, carrying of people’s luggage in the market, cattle keeping to mention but a few.The respondent stressed this by saying that;

“I really struggle to earn money. I do slash at the main hospital and clean latrines at primary school where I get some money for assistance”.

Similarly, another respondent said that;

“I joined a saving group as this forces me to work hard by washing people’s clothes in town over the week ends”.

In addition, other respondents stressed that most of the persons with disabilities depend on the communities in which they live, relatives, their children, churches and other organizations as said by a respondent as below;

“Many of the persons with visual impairment in Nyakabirizi sub county depend on others like their children, clan members and community members with food, security and other necessary support to enhance their livelihood”.

4.2.3 Support persons with disabilities receive from government and NGOs.

The study sought to identify the support persons with disabilities receive from government and NGOS. Results were obtained and are presented below;

A respondent said that to assist disabled people to start income generation programme, the government and non-governmental organization have introduced loan and micro credit mechanism such as:

Training disabled people in small business development aspect to be able to plan their income generation activities on proper manner;
Establishing bank system for financially supporting disabled people to receive loan for various occupation under certain name such as agriculture purpose, animal husbandry;
Introducing and support different culturally appropriate mechanism to business and financially Support students with disability to continue with their education, and after graduation find jobs for them then remember the loan amount gradually.

These policies would take both the National and international levels, they could redeem PWDs out of poverty. A respondent was quoted:

“Income generating strategies for self-employment as useful means of integrating people with disabilities into the economy when other options of employment become difficult for them to get and thus fighting poverty”.

From the results, the respondents pointed out that the government has advocated for PWDs as mentioned by26 respondents. One of the PWDs said;

“…we have nobody to stand up for us, somebody just needs to be our voice and make people aware of our needs and rights as PWDs.”

The study found out that some respondents found strengthening of government policies on disability, as a way out of poverty with 10 respondents. A respondent was quoted:

...we have heard about several policies in favor of PWDs, but I don’t see much of their impact. If only these policies were implemented and strengthened, poverty will become insignificant among PWDs.

4.2.4 Challenges experienced by persons with disabilities

Study respondents were asked to state the challenges experienced by persons with disabilities and the following results were obtained and are represented below;

The study finding shows that illiteracy was one of the greatest challenges that led to poverty (29) among PWDs. This is because poverty brings about other risk factors like lack of knowledge and skills as well as lack of qualifications.

The next highest challenge faced by persons with disabilities was denial of jobs due to impairments with 28respondents. Most respondents said that PWDs are not given always given regular jobs like normal people. This kind of discrimination and stigma towards them has made them to be jobless and thus, lack of source of income for survival.

Further, the study findings showed that another challenge that affect PWDs are low wages due to low productivity, as well as inability to access social services and public utilities, which both took the 16respondents.

A respondent stated;

PWDs are disempowered by the current economic situation. This essentially means that people suffer from impairments caused by poverty because of the inability of the state to provide a welfare system to its citizens, which includes medical support. Thus, from this point of view, all efforts should be directed and mobilized towards confronting poverty in order to break the chain of economic dependency of PWDs.

Last were lack of market for their products and services with 15respondents. These PWDs complained and emphasized that it seemed to them that the local population was disgusted by their impairments. One of the respondents who runs a small kiosk says;

“…people even tell me that they cannot buy my tomatoes, as my disability may infect them as well.”

Another respondent said that;

“There is little provision made for disabled people in the community, which assist them to be economically active. Physical impairment aside, many barriers to open employment continue to exist, including inaccessible transportation and buildings, non-adapted tools, and employers’ fears”.

All in all, it is clear that the community of Nyakabirizi contributes heavily to disabling these PWDs and drives them into poverty. Even these PWDs try to take part in gainful employment; their efforts are suffocated in various ways.

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.0 Introduction

This chapter briefly deals with the summary, discussion of the findings of the study, conclusion and recommendations according to study findings.

5.1 Summary of findings

Most PWDs face challenges like illiteracy, denial of jobs due to impairments, low wages due to low productivity, lack of market for their products and services, poverty and limited advocacy or representation.

5.2 Discussion of findings

According to results in chapter four revealed the socio-economic conditions under which persons with disabilities live, most of which were negative such as poverty, nutritional imbalances, burden of dependants, limited access to medication and water, isolation and discrimination. The findings of this study are in line with Lloyd (2000) asserts that, a limited capacity for income generation and a growing risk of serious illness are likely to increase vulnerability of PWDs to fall into poverty, irrespective of their economic status. While Lizette(2003) goes ahead to say that poverty is not a learning disability, but socially tends to treat PWDs with contempt, excluding them from each and every economic activity that they need to participate in. NUDIPU also has it that PWDs suffer from so many diseases ranging from deficiency/nutritional diseases, recurrent malaria, sexually transmitted diseases and many others. All these arise due to reasons such as high costs of transport fares for PWDs, long distance to health centers, ignorance on the use of safe sex kits with contents such as condoms and others. The findings relate to the present study because the needs and ways of dealing with poverty among PWDs suggested have not yet been put in action mainly because society still plays dumb to the needs of PWDs.

The study sought participants views and opinions on the activities that persons with disabilities in Nyakabirizi sub county are engaged in and they included subsistence agriculture, poultry keeping, animal keeping, small scale businesses like shop keeping, selling of things like charcoal, food staffs, butcher men, selling of water and many other related activities. Others derive their livelihood by participating in casual labour to earn income. Such activities included; slashing of compound, carrying of people’s luggage in the market, cattle keeping mentioning but a few. While other persons with disabilities depend on the communities in which they live, relatives, their children, churches and other organizations. These findings agree with Baryayebwa (2010) who noted that PWDs engage in small businesses selling from shops. This requires minimal physical exertion, and can provide a regular income. Successful examples include vegetable shops, tea stalls, van-based shops, snacks, dry fish sales and others. While Clark (1991) argued that PWDs engage in activities that develop their knowledge, skills and attitudes required for effective work in an occupation or group of occupations. It comprises initial, refresher, further and updating training, retraining and job-related training. It may include general education subjects

The support accorded to PWDs includes; the government and non-governmental organization have introducing loan and micro credit mechanism such as: training disabled people in small business development aspect to be able to plan their income generation activities on proper manner; establishing bank system for financially supporting disabled people to receive loan for various occupation under certain name such as agriculture purpose, animal husbandry; entroducing and support different culturally appropriate mechanism to business and financially Support students with disability to continue with their education, and after graduation find jobs for them then remember the loan amount gradually. This finding is in line with Uganda National Policy on Disability (2006) that noted local authorities are mandated to coordinate, supervise and mobilize resources for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), initiate and implement appropriate interventions among others. In order to support the above mandate, the central government provides a Special Grant for Persons with Disabilities (SGPWD) as a social safety net to ensure that PWDs establish income generating activities of their choice that can bolster their incomes, reduce inequality and unemployment. The two interlocking objectives for establishing this grant are: to aid PWDs to establish income generating activities for employment creation and improvement of incomes; and to provide seed capital for income generating activities (Government of Uganda, 2011).

However, most PWDs face challenges like illiteracy, denial of jobs due to impairments, low wages due to low productivity, lack of market for their products and services, poverty and limited advocacy or representation. This is in line with Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (2005) who stated limited opportunities for people with disabilities. For example: poor links between State-administered school and post-school programs and Commonwealth-administered disability employment services, under-representation in the vocational, education and training systems, limited scope and variety of jobs offered to people with disabilities, lower possibilities for promotion, lower paying jobs, lower retention rates.

5.3Conclusion

The study concludes that the socio-economic conditions under which persons with disabilities live, most of which were negative such as poverty, nutritional imbalances, burden of dependants, limited access to medication and water, isolation and discrimination. Persons with disabilities engaged in subsistence agriculture, poultry keeping, animal keeping, small scale businesses like shop keeping, selling of things like charcoal, food staffs, butcher men, selling of water and many other related activities. Others derive their livelihood by participating in casual labour to earn income. Such activities included; slashing of compound, carrying of people’s luggage in the market, cattle keeping mentioning but a few. While other persons with disabilities depend on the communities in which they live, relatives, their children, churches and other organizations. The government and non-governmental organization have introducing loan and micro credit mechanism such as: training disabled people in small business development aspect to be able to plan their income generation activities on proper manner; establishing bank system for financially supporting disabled people to receive loan for various occupation under certain name such as agriculture purpose, animal husbandry; introducing and support different culturally appropriate mechanism to business and financially Support students with disability to continue with their education, and after graduation find jobs for them then remember the loan amount gradually. Most PWDs however, face challenges like illiteracy, denial of jobs due to impairments, low wages due to low productivity, lack of market for their products and services, poverty and limited advocacy or representation.

5.4 Recommendations

The government and community members plus other stake holders need to be reminded about the impact of PWDs in society and what they are capable of, so that considerations can be made for them to be included in decision making, planning and implementation, monitoring, evaluation and designing of policies, projects and programs. In this way, the pressing needs of PWDs like access to clean water and public utilities, health services, access to information, are catered for and brought closer to them.

Families should equally be reminded of their continued support for PWDs such that they can stop isolating them and building accessible homes. Families should be contacted by and community resource persons, social workers and their constant support for PWD involvement in areas of decision making and planning on issues regarding their welfare.

Society should be sensitised to consider and recognize the effort of PWDs in community activities further educating them to design activities that are beneficial to PWDs.

Schools should also find ways of making their settings, such that they can take up all children, regardless of whether they have special needs or not. They should also make sure that all teachers employed have the knowledge of sign language, Braille and other special skills, so as to make it easy for incorporation of PWDs in ordinary schools. This in turn would decrease the levels of illiteracy among PWDs, rather increasing skills and knowledgeability which increase chance for employment.

There is also strong need for government through its ministries such as the ministry of gender labor and social development, which is a custodian of all citizens in the country, to strengthen the national policy for PWDs so that special support and attention is given to PWDs just like any other grouping of people in the country. This should be backed up by strong strategies and work plans to effectively implement policies, draft applicable and relevant policies.

REFERENCES

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Gert Rooy; 1999; “constraints of Disability that result to poverty”

Hans, H. (2003); poverty as trauma- methodological problems

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Leslie Swartz (2010), Environmental barriers to PWDs.

Leslie Swartz (2011) social cultural and environmental barriers to PWDs.

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Millennium development goals, Uganda’s progress report 2007

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Titchkosky, T. (2003). Disability: A social phenomenon. Disability, self, and Society (pp. 3-15). Toronto: University of Toronto Press.

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APPENDICES

APPENDIX I: LETTER OF INFORMED CONSENT

Dear respondent,

I am Matsiko Albert, a student of Kyambogo University pursuing a diploma in Community Based Rehabilitation and as part of the requirement for the fulfillment of the award, I am carrying out a study on the rampant poverty experienced by households of PWDs in Nyakabirizi Sub-County, Busenyi District.

For the completion of this study, you have been identified as one of the key respondents for this study. Therefore, I request for your cooperation. You will not be forced to answer any question that is against your will, you may not also need to mention your name incase you don’t need to be recognized. The information you will provide will be treated with utmost confidentiality and will only be used for academic purposes.

Therefore, I request you to answer the questions that follow.

Thank you for your time.

Yours sincerely,

Matsiko Albert

Student, Kyambogo University

APPENDIX II: INTERVIEW GUIDE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Education level
Marital status
Socio-economic conditions under which persons with disabilities live

What are your most pressing needs?
Do you have access all necessities?
Are you employed?
What are the conditions under which you live?

Activities persons with disabilities engaged in.

Are there any activities you are engaged?
Have you accessed these services and programs?
What have you tried to do to utilize whatever aid or services you are given?

Support persons with disabilities receive from government and NGOs

What support do you receive from government and NGOs?

Challenges experienced by persons with disabilities

Has disability ever impeded you from doing anything you want?
What challenges do you experience?

What do you suggest should be done?

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION

APPENDIX III: INTERVIEW GUIDE FOR CDO AND LEADERS OF PWDs

Education level
Source of income
Marital status
Socio-economic conditions under which persons with disabilities live

What are their most pressing needs?
Do they have access to all necessities?
What are the conditions under which PWDs live?

Activities persons with disabilities engaged in.

Are there any activities PWDs engage in?
Do they have access to these services and programs?
What have PWDs themselves tried to do to utilize whatever aid or services they are given?

Support persons with disabilities receive from government and NGOs

What support do they receive from government and NGOs?

Challenges experienced by persons with disabilities

Has disability ever impeded them from doing anything they want?
What challenges do they experience?

What do you suggest should be done?